PHOTO: PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty ImagesAn activist wearing a mask of Russian President Vladimir Putin joins protesters against Russia's anti-gay legislation on the day of the opening ceremony the Sochi Winter Olympic Games in Hong Kong on February 7, 2014.

The U.S. halfpipe skier David Wise speaks during a press conference in Tolstoy Hall at the Main Media Center in Sochi on February 7, 2014.

SOCHI, Russia – David Wise, a freestyle skier from the United States, had been asked whether his country’s Olympic committee had suggested athletes steer clear of generating controversy by addressing social issues in Russia: “Freedom of speech has always been a very American thing, so the USOC says, ‘hey, this is the way we think you should answer this, or …’”

He paused, then started over.

“Being from the U.S., freedom of speech has always been a big thing,” Wise said. “They basically say we can answer the question however we want. They really just want you to avoid controversy — but if you’re willing and ready to be in the middle of a controversy, they say, ‘be my guest.’”

Embers of dissent have been flickering into various forms of protest around the Olympics in Sochi, with multinational corporations, international advocacy groups and (potentially) one Russian athlete taking stands against Russian policy. Russia’s anti-gay legislation has been one focal point, with its crackdown on freedom of expression taking a silver medal.

Anja Paerson of Sweden.

Retired Swedish skier Anja Paerson, who is gay, has spoken out against Russia’s anti-gay law, telling The Associated Press: “It’s an important statement for Sweden that I don’t allow anyone to choose how I should live my life, and that’s why I’m here and that’s why I’m doing this.”

Telecommunications giant AT&T issued a statement calling the Russian law against the spread of homosexual “propaganda” harmful “to LGBT individuals and families, and it’s harmful to a diverse society.” And on Friday, Google, the Internet search giant, made the image on its home page into the colours of a rainbow, which celebrates diversity.

Concerns over Russia’s anti-gay legislation — what constitutes “propaganda” is defined only loosely — are paired with concerns over what might happen to visitors who protest during the Sochi Olympics. It has been reported foreigners could face fines and up to 15 days in jail.

Russian political leaders, meanwhile, continue to mix homosexuality with pedophilia in public comments. Deputy prime minister Dmitry Kozak parroted the sentiment during a news conference on Thursday.

“We are all grown-ups and every adult has their own right to understand their sexual activity,” he said. “Please do not touch the kids, that is the only thing. That is prohibited by law in all countries no matter whether you are straight or gay.”

He also addressed the notion of athletes, coaches or visitors who may be thinking about criticizing Russian policies during the Games, which opened Thursday.

“I hope that nothing will happen and we will see no problem,” he said. “According to the Olympic charter, political propaganda is prohibited during events.”

The power of the protest would seem to lie with the athletes. Trevor Pilling, who is head of sports programming at the CBC, which owns Canadian broadcast rights, suggested the amount of time the network spends on the protests will be driven by those on the field of play: “If there are athletes who are outspoken … we will tell all of (their stories).”

Australian snowboarder Belle Brockhoff, who is gay, had initially said she would protest, but has since stepped back. She told the BBC her parents were concerned for her safety: “I’m not afraid to express my opinion after the Games, but I don’t want any official to pull me aside or someone stop me at the border.”

On Thursday, Russian snowboarder Alexey Sobolev drew international attention for what appeared to be a protest under his board: an image of a woman in a ski mask, wielding a knife. It was first thought the image was a nod to the Russian punk rock band Pussy Riot — two members of the band served almost two years in jail for speaking out against President Vladimir Putin — but the board’s designer has said it was inspired by a comic.

“We all have our own thoughts and opinions,” U.S. freestyle skier Maddie Bowman said. “But I mean, at the end of the day, we’re all here to snowboard and ride. Some people might use that stage to express themselves, but we’ll just have to see.”

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